A message from the co-chairs of the Search Committee
Dear Christ Church Family,
Our search committee has begun the work of finding the next Rector of Christ Church. While we cannot hope to replace Christopher Powell, our mission is to identify the right person to build on Christopher’s legacy while leading us into the future knowing that the needs and demands of our parish will continue to shift over time.
Obviously, this is not a simple task nor one that we take lightly. The Rector search process we are following is guided by the diocese in terms of steps and best practices, customized to reflect the specific needs and desires of our congregation, and led by a committee of 17 parishioners. We are committed to finding the candidate who best reflects the will of the parish and can balance the importance of our traditions with our need to continue to evolve for the future. The search process is lengthy and robust so to prepare the parish for this we want to share with you a little of what to expect and how to make sure your voice is heard.
There are multiple steps to the process that begin with a parish-wide CAT (Congregational Assessment Tool) survey and small group discussions. Based on that input from the congregation, we write and post our parish profile, review applicants, and ultimately work with the vestry to call the right person to Christ Church. Within the bounds of protecting the confidentiality and integrity of the process, we will keep the congregation informed so you know how things are progressing.
You play a crucial role in this discernment process. In our first step, we ask that every parishioner fill out the CAT survey. The survey is critical to helping the search committee discern the will of the parish. It measures, according to all of you, how our church is faring, the characteristics and practices you believe to be most important, and your wishes for the future of Christ Church. Following the fielding of the CAT survey we will commission a series of small group discussions. These groups are also a place where you can express your wishes and concerns, dive deeper into issues that may not have been fully captured by the survey tool, and share with the search committee and your fellow parishioners all you hope and dream for the future of the church.
Many of you may have taken the CAT survey in the past but we ask that you please take it again. The last two years have brought unprecedented changes to how, where and when we worship and mean that the data of the past may not accurately reflect our current and future needs.
In the next two weeks you will receive an invitation to fill out the survey. You will also see communications from the search and transition teams added to our website and to our weekly email communication. We thank you in advance for your support of this important work, and we look forward to working together to make sure that the Christ Church community continues to thrive today and in the future.
Sincerely,
Lisa Bradner and Chris Cahill
Search Committee Co-chairs